Nordic Worlds: Lodwick takes nordic combined gold

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February 20, 2009

American nordic combined skier Todd Lodwick won a gold medal today at the 2009 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Liberec, Czech Republic. After winning the cross country portion of the event, Lodwick performed two huge jumps to secure the first major event medal of the 32-year-old’s career.

Germany’s Tino Edelmann finished second followed by Frenchman Jason Lamy Chappuis in third.

“Words can not describe it. The biggest thing about my comeback was World championships. It still hasn’t set in, but today I am the best in the world,” Lodwick said.

After competed in four Olympic Games and seven World Championships with no medals to show for it, Lodwick retired in 2006. He made the decision to return to competition at 32 with the goal of becoming World Champion.
American Bill Demong finished fifth after taking third in the cross country race.

American nordic combined skier Todd Lodwick won a gold medal today at the 2009 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Liberec, Czech Republic. After winning the cross country portion of the event, Lodwick performed two huge jumps to secure the first major event medal of the 32-year-old’s career.

Germany’s Tino Edelmann finished second followed by Frenchman Jason Lamy Chappuis in third.

“Words can not describe it. The biggest thing about my comeback was World championships. It still hasn’t set in, but today I am the best in the world,” Lodwick said.

After competed in four Olympic Games and seven World Championships with no medals to show for it, Lodwick retired in 2006. He made the decision to return to competition at 32 with the goal of becoming World Champion.

“This is a dream come true and a crazy fairy tale that someone dreamt up for me to come out of retirement to ski at World Championships and win a medal,” Lodwick said.

American Bill Demong finished fifth after taking third in the cross country race.

The nordic combined athletes are back at it Sunday for the normal hill event and a 10 K cross country race. Lodwick isn’t settling for just one race. “This is the start of the week and we still have three competitions. It’s an awesome day for team USA, but there’s still more to come,” Lodwick said.